Kitsap County Planning Commission recommends approval of Roper open-space application

The Kitsap County Planning Commission voted Aug. 19 to recommend approval of the Roper Open Space Application #25-01464 following a staff presentation and public hearing.

DCD Planner Jason Walsh presented the application and told commissioners that two public comments had been submitted but were not included in the staff report: one raised concerns about the project’s proximity to Burley Creek and the potential impact on grant funding, and the other supported approval. During an open hearing, Alicia Roper (identified in the minutes as the property owner) spoke in support of the application; Gary Schrier (identified as a South Kitsap resident) spoke in opposition; and Sharon Feeney (a Kitsap County resident) spoke in support.

Commissioners discussed the public testimony and staff analysis in deliberations. Commissioner Ashlee Hall moved to recommend approval of the Roper Open Space Application #25-01464; Kaleb Nelson seconded and the minutes record the motion as carrying "Unanimous in Favor - Motion Carries." Chair Alan Beam then moved to approve the Findings of Fact for the application; that motion likewise carried unanimously in the record. The minutes do not list individual roll-call votes, only the unanimous outcome.

The record in these minutes shows the application received direct public comment both for and against it and that the commission formally recommended approval and adopted findings of fact. The staff presentation referenced materials in the staff report for greater detail; the minutes note that audio and full materials are on Kitsap County’s DCD website.